Gemmed sequin

ABSTRACT

A sequin ( 4 ), comprising a carrier layer ( 1 ), a gemstone ( 2, 3 ) or a plurality of gemstones ( 2, 3 ) being arranged on one side of the carrier layer ( 1 ).

The invention relates to a sequin, comprising a carrier layer.

Sequins have long been used as a particularly attractive decorativematerial, in particular for embellishing items of clothing. In thisregard, the term “sequins” refers to round or oval, flat or faceted,very thin platelets made of metal, coated or uncoated plastics material,glass and also other materials. The sequins are adhesively bonded orsewn onto the clothing or other planar textile structures. For thispurpose, provision may be made to provide the sequins with a hole.

This has been found to have the drawback that the color effects andlight effects generated by the sewn-on or adhesively bonded-on sequins,in particular by reflection, refraction and scattering of light, are notvery pronounced when metal sequins are used. This can be improved if,instead of metal sequins, use is made of glass sequins, in particularglass sequins cut with facets. However, this has been found to have thedrawback that, on the one hand, the glass sequins, in particular if alarge number of sequins of this type are arranged on an item ofclothing, are extremely heavy, as a result of which the item of clothingin use can then be worn only to the wearer's disadvantage. On the otherhand, connecting glass sequins to the item of clothing is alsoimpractical, as there is no back provided specifically for this purpose.

The object of the invention is therefore to avoid the above-mentioneddrawbacks and to provide sequins which generate the light effects andalso color effects necessary for decorative purposes while at the sametime having a low mass.

This is achieved by a sequin having the features of claim 1.

That is to say, the fact that the sequin comprises a carrier layer, agemstone or a plurality of gemstones being arranged on one side of thecarrier layer, allows the sequin to have, as a result of the selectionof an appropriate, in particular thin, carrier layer, on the one hand, alow mass and, on the other hand, as a result of the arrangement of thegemstones on only one side of the carrier layer, to provide the secondside of the carrier layer for connection to a planar textile structure,i.e. for example an item of clothing. This allows this second side, withwhich the sequin is attached for example to an item of clothing, toremain untreated with regard to its visual properties, thus reducing thecost of the process for producing the sequins according to theinvention. The arrangement of the gemstones on the one side of thecarrier layer allows a broad range of visually attractive effects byscattering, reflection and refraction of light on the gemstones or coloreffects by various colors of the gemstones in combination with thecolors or mirroring of the carrier layer to be achieved.

In this regard, the term “gemstones” includes all synthetic or naturalprecious stones and semiprecious stones, such as for example zirconia,but also imitation precious stones or glass stones, such as for examplesimili. If a plurality of gemstones are arranged on the one side of thecarrier layer of the sequin, a plurality of these gemstones can have thesame shape and size or else all have an arbitrary, for exampleirregular, shape.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in thedependent claims or will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made to makethe carrier layer of the sequin of metal. A metallic carrier layer hasthe advantage of a particularly simple and inexpensive manner ofproduction. Thus, metallic carrier layers of this type can easily bestamped. In addition, the selection of light metals, for examplealuminum, produces a sequin which is particularly light with regard toits mass, in particular when the carrier layer is in addition also madeso as to be thin. However, other materials for the carrier layer, suchas for example coated or uncoated plastics material platelets, are ofcourse also conceivable.

In a further embodiment, provision is made for the carrier layer tocomprise plastics material or consist of plastics material. This furtherimproves the problems of weight mentioned at the outset, as plasticsmaterial-containing carrier layers can be made so as to be particularlylight. In addition, carrier layers embodied in this way can easily bemanufactured in large-scale production.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the carrier layer comprises ametal-coated plastics material layer or consists of a plastics materiallayer coated in this way. This allows the advantage in terms of weightof the plastics material layer to be maintained while still providingvisually attractive metallic effects, for example with regard to thereflection and absorption of rays of incident light. This allows e.g.the gleaming of gold or silver to be imitated. Provision may also bemade to provide only the side of the plastics material-containingcarrier layer on which the gemstone or gemstones are arranged with ametal layer, while the other side, with which the sequin is connectedfor example to an item of clothing, remains untreated.

It is particularly preferred to adhesively bond the gemstones to thecarrier layer of the sequins. In this case, provision is made for atleast one of the gemstones to be adhesively bonded to the carrier layer.It is however particularly advantageous to adhesively bond a pluralityof or all the gemstones to the carrier layer. In this case, provisionmay be made to provide regions of the gemstones with an adhesive, forexample a hot-melt adhesive, and to apply the gemstones to the carrierlayer of the sequin by means of this adhesive. Examples of gemstones ofthis type provided with hot-melt adhesive are what are known as hot-fixglass stones. For the preferred adhesive bonding of the gemstones orgemstone to the carrier layer, it is of course equally possible toprovide the carrier layer or regions thereof with an adhesive, forexample a hot-melt adhesive. However, instead of a single ormultiple-component hot-melt adhesive, other adhesives, which cure forexample by irradiation with UV radiation and additionally oralternatively under elevated temperature, are also conceivable.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for atleast one of the gemstones arranged on the carrier layer to be embodiedas a cut gemstone. However, it is particularly advantageous if aplurality of or all the gemstones are cut. Cut regions produceparticularly attractive refractive or reflective properties onillumination of the gemstone used. This is true in particular at edgesbetween cut regions. It is particularly preferred to use gemstones whichare cut with facets, as this makes the above-mentioned reflective andrefractive properties particularly impressive and allows, for example,the fire of a real diamond to be imitated. It is in this caseadvantageous to use glass stones, in particular cut glass stones, toembellish the sequin, i.e. for arrangement on the carrier layer of thesequin, as glass stones, in particular when cut appropriately, closelyresemble natural crystals, but can be produced economically, in order tomanufacture a large number of sequins according to the invention. Again,provision is made for at least one of the gemstones to be made of glass.However, it is particularly advantageous if this applies to a pluralityof or all the gemstones.

In this regard, the gemstones can in principle have any desired shape,although gemstones with a flat table, for example roses and chatons, orgemstones with a flat back (“flat backs”) are particularly well suited,as this flat side can be provided particularly effectively with adhesiveand as a result offers a large surface for connecting to the carrierlayer, as a result of which this connection has particularly goodadhesion.

For the sequin according to the invention, provision may be made to useat least one transparent gemstone. However, in other embodiments,colored gemstones can also be provided. In this case, it may beadvantageous for these colored gemstones still nevertheless to betranslucent to a certain degree, so that the desired reflective orrefractive properties appear. Again, provision is made for at least oneof the gemstones to have these color properties. It is howeverparticularly advantageous if this applies to a plurality of or all thegemstones.

If a plurality of gemstones are arranged on the carrier layer of thesequin, an embodiment of the invention provides for the gemstones to bearranged in a regular pattern. An example of an arrangement of this typeis a circular carrier layer, the gemstones being formed as corner pointsof a regular polygon at as uniform a distance as possible from thecenter point of the carrier layer.

In a further embodiment, provision is made to arrange just a singlegemstone on the carrier layer, wherein it can in this case beadvantageous to use this single gemstone to cover or cover-over theentire carrier layer. This provides a particularly convincing imitationof a sequin made entirely of glass.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for atleast one through-hole to be arranged in the carrier layer of thesequin. This allows the weight of the sequin according to the inventionto be further reduced. Annular carrier layers are in this caseparticularly preferred, wherein the gemstones can be arranged in aregular pattern on one side of the carrier layer. In this case, one ofthese through-holes can also serve to sew the sequin for example onto anitem of clothing. Provision may also be made to arrange likewise athrough-hole in at least one of the gemstones. This is advantageous inparticular when only a single gemstone, which preferably covers theentire carrier layer, is arranged on the carrier layer. In this case,the through-holes of the gemstone and the carrier layer can be arrangedone above another, thus forming a single continuous hole.

Moreover, particularly attractive visual effects can be achieved if areflection layer is arranged between the carrier layer and thegemstones, for example in that a layer of this type is vapor-depositedonto the carrier layer. In particular in gemstones which are cut withfacets, the reflective or refractive effects can be further intensifiedby a layer of this type. Even if use is made of a single gemstone whichpreferably covers the entire carrier layer and serves to imitate a glasssequin, this can generate an additional visual effect compared to a pureglass sequin.

Provision may also be made to arrange, additionally or alternatively tothis reflective layer, what is known as a hologram foil between thecarrier layer and the gemstone or gemstones. This changes the appearanceof the sequin depending on the angle from which it is viewed, forexample in that the color of the reflected light is dependent on theviewing angle.

Particularly preferably, in the sequin according to the invention,provision is made for the carrier layer to be made so as to besubstantially round, for example with a diameter of between 25 mm and150 mm. The sequin is therefore substantially cylindrical, the cylinderhaving a low height and one or more gemstones being arranged at one ofthe top faces. In this case, provision may be made for the largestdiameter of the gemstones to be selected so as to be between 0.5 mm and5 mm.

The invention further relates to the use of one or more of theabove-cited sequins as a decorative element of planar textilestructures. In particular, the sequins can be used to embellish items ofclothing or fashion accessories, such as for example handbags or shoes.The fact that the sequins according to the invention are manufacturedcost-effectively, i.e. for example using a stamped-out metallic carrierlayer or a metal-coated plastics material-containing carrier layer, ineach case with cut glass stones as gemstones, allows a large number ofsequins of this type to be used to embellish planar textile structures,without thereby incurring excessive costs.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is in this casemade for the second side of the carrier layer, i.e. that side that isremote from the gemstones, to be used for connecting to the planartextile structure and for the sequin to be adhesively bonded with thisside to this planar structure. Again, hot-melt adhesives can for examplebe used for this purpose. Other adhesives are of course alsoconceivable, in particular if the item of clothing istemperature-sensitive.

Of course, provision may also be made for the sequins according to theinvention, in particular if they are provided with one or morethrough-holes, to be sewn onto the planar textile structure.

Further details and advantages of the present invention will bedescribed hereinafter in greater detail based on the description of thefigures given with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 a to 1 c show three embodiments of the sequin according to theinvention with a different number of gemstones arranged on the carrierlayer;

FIGS. 2 a to 2 c are cross-sectional views along the straightintersection line indicated in FIG. 1 a to 1 c;

FIGS. 3 a to 3 c show three further embodiments of the sequin accordingto the invention with a different number of gemstones arranged on thecarrier layer;

FIGS. 4 a to 4 c are cross-sectional views along the straightintersection line indicated in FIGS. 3 a to 3 c;

FIGS. 5 a to 5 c show three further embodiments of the sequin accordingto the invention with a different number of gemstones arranged on thecarrier layer;

FIGS. 6 a to 6 c are cross-sectional views along the straightintersection line indicated in FIGS. 5 a to 5 c;

FIGS. 7 a to 7 c show three further embodiments of the sequin accordingto the invention with a different number of gemstones arranged on thecarrier layer;

FIGS. 8 a to 8 c are cross-sectional views along the straightintersection line indicated in FIGS. 7 a to 7 c; and

FIG. 9 shows an item of clothing with a large number of sequinsaccording to the invention arranged in a pattern.

FIG. 1 a shows a sequin 4 according to the invention with a circularcarrier layer 1 which preferably consists of a plastics material orcomprises plastics material which is coated with a metal layer. Agemstone 2 is adhesively bonded to a first side 8 of the carrier layer1. A further side 9 of the carrier layer, which is positioned oppositethe first side 8, can for example serve to attach the sequin 4 to aplanar textile structure 7. The gemstone 2 is a glass stone which is cutwith facets in the form of what is known as a classical rose, i.e. witha flat underside, what is known as a flat back 5, a table and facetsarranged therebetween. The gemstone 2 is adhesively bonded with the flatback 5 to the first side 8 of the carrier layer 1. In contrast to FIG. 1a, in FIG. 1 b four gemstones 2 of this type, which are embodied asclassical roses, are adhesively bonded to the first side 8 of thecarrier layer 1. In this case, the center points of the gemstones 2 arearranged as corner points of a square in order to convey as symmetricalan impression as possible. In FIG. 1 c, again, seven gemstones 2 of thistype, which are embodied as classical roses, are adhesively bonded tothe carrier layer 1, the center points of which lie on a circle which isconcentric with the circumference of the carrier layer 1.

FIG. 2 a shows the sequin 4 from FIG. 1 a in a cross-sectional viewalong the straight intersection line marked by A-A. It may be seen inthis case that the gemstone 2 is adhesively bonded with the flat back 5to the first side 8 of the carrier layer 1. The carrier layer 1 itselfhas been made very thin and consists of a circular plastics materialplatelet which is provided with a metal layer. The metal layer itself isnot shown. FIG. 2 b shows the sequin 4 from FIG. 1 b in across-sectional view along the straight intersection line marked by B-B.FIG. 2 c, in turn, shows the sequin 4 from FIG. 1 c in a cross-sectionalview along the straight intersection line marked by C-C. The onlydifference in FIGS. 2 a to 2 c is the number of gemstones 2 adhesivelybonded to the carrier layer 1.

FIGS. 3 a to 3 c correspond to the exemplary embodiments of FIG. 1 a to1 c, apart from the fact that the gemstone or gemstones 3 in FIGS. 3 ato 3 c are embodied not as classical roses but as pointed roses. Thepointed roses have in this case, just like classical roses, a flatunderside, i.e. a flat back 5, and also a tapering peripheral surfacewhich is cut with facets. Nevertheless, the pointed rose does not have atable, but is cut to form a point.

FIGS. 4 a to 4 c are the corresponding cross-sectional views of theembodiments of the sequins 4 according to the invention of FIGS. 3 a to3 c along the straight intersection line marked by D-D, E-E and F-F. Itmay be seen in this case in particular that the gemstones 3 are embodiedas pointed roses.

In FIG. 5 a, a gemstone 2, which is embodied as a classical rose, isadhesively bonded to a first side 8 of a circular carrier layer 1,consisting of a plastics material platelet coated with metal. Thecarrier layer 1 has in this case a through-hole 6 which, on the onehand, serves to reduce the weight of the sequin 4 according to theinvention and by means of which, on the other hand, the sequin 4 can besewn to a textile planar structure 7. In FIGS. 5 b and 5 c, as in FIG. 1b and 1 c, four and seven gemstones 2 respectively, which are embodiedas classical roses, are arranged in the form of a regular quadrangle orat the same distance from the geometrical center point of the carrierlayer 1 on the annular carrier layer 1.

FIGS. 6 a to 6 c are cross-sectional views of the sequins 4 according tothe invention in the embodiments of FIGS. 5 a to 5 c along the straightintersection line marked by G-G, H-H, and I-I. These cross-sectionalviews show in particular the through-hole 6 with which the sequinaccording to the invention can be sewn to a textile planar structure 7.However, additionally or alternatively, the carrier layer 1 can, again,be adhesively bonded with the side 9, which is positioned opposite thefirst side 8, to a textile planar structure 7.

FIGS. 7 a to 7 c correspond to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 5 a to5 c apart from the type of gemstones 3 used. In FIGS. 7 a to 7 c,gemstones 3 embodied as pointed roses are adhesively bonded to theannular carrier layer 1 with the through-hole 6.

FIGS. 8 a to 8 c show the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 7 a to 7 c incross-sectional views along the straight intersection line marked byJ-J, K-K, and L-L in FIGS. 7 a to 7 c. The gemstones 3, which areembodied as pointed roses, and also the through-hole 6 are particularlyapparent.

FIG. 9 illustrates the use of a large number of sequins 4 according tothe invention on a planar textile structure 7 which is embodied as aT-shirt. In this case, the sequins 4 all have a through-hole 6 withwhich they are sewn to the T-shirt. For the sake of clarity, thegemstones 2, 3 are not shown. The sequins 4 are arranged in a visuallyattractive pattern on the planar textile structure 7. The gemstones 2, 3have in this case a sparkling appearance and are therefore felt to beparticularly attractive.

It goes without saying that the sequin according to the invention or theuse according to the invention of the sequins is neither limited to theexemplary embodiments illustrated in particular in the figures, norintended to be restricted thereby. In particular, this is true of thetype and shape of the gemstones and the arrangement thereof on thesequin.

1. A sequin, comprising a carrier layer, wherein a gemstone or aplurality of gemstones is or are arranged on one side of said carrierlayer.
 2. The sequin as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrier layeris metallic.
 3. The sequin as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrierlayer comprises plastics material.
 4. The sequin as claimed in claim 1,wherein said carrier layer comprises a metal-coated plastics materiallayer.
 5. The sequin as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of thegemstones is adhesively bonded to the carrier layer.
 6. The sequin asclaimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the gemstones is cut.
 7. Thesequin as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one of the gemstones iscut with facets.
 8. The sequin as claimed in claim 1, wherein at leastone of the gemstones is made of glass.
 9. The sequin as claimed in claim1, wherein at least one of the gemstones is transparent or translucentlycolored.
 10. The sequin as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one ofthe gemstones is transparent or translucently colored.
 11. The sequin asclaimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of gemstones is arranged in aregular pattern on the one side of said carrying layer.
 12. The sequinas claimed in claim 1, wherein a gemstone is arranged on and completelycovers the one side of said carrier layer.
 13. The sequin as claimed inclaim 1, wherein at least one through-hole is arranged in said carrierlayer.
 14. The sequin as claimed in claim 13, wherein a through-hole isarranged in at least one of the gemstones.
 15. The sequin as claimed inclaim 1, wherein a reflective layer or a hologram foil is arrangedbetween said carrier layer and between the gemstone or the gemstones.16. The sequin as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrier layer issubstantially circular.
 17. The sequin as claimed in claim 16, whereinsaid carrier layer has a diameter of between 25 mm and 150 mm.
 18. Thesequin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the largest diameter of thegemstone or the gemstones is between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.
 19. The sequin asclaimed in claim 17, wherein the largest diameter of the gemstone or thegemstones is between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.
 20. The use of one or more sequinsas claimed in claim 1 as a decorative element of planar textilestructures, in particular of items of clothing.
 21. The use as claimedin claim 20, wherein said planar textile structures is past of an itemof clothing.
 22. The use as claimed in claim 20, wherein said sequin orsaid sequins is or are sewn to said planar textile structure.
 23. Theuse as claimed in claim 20, wherein said sequin or said sequins is orare adhesively bonded, with the side of the metallic carrier layer thatis remote from the gemstone or the gemstones, to the surface of theplanar textile structure (7).